ASIA/TURKEY - The Divine Mysteries will be celebrated at Sumela Monastery, usually closed for worship

Trabzon (Agenzia Fides) – The historical Sumela Monastery, located in the north of Turkey, will be opened for one-day worship on August 15. The monastery, which stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley, is an important tourist attraction in the region and regular religious services, seen as an obstacle to tourism, were banned years ago . The monastery is a pearl of historical, artistic and religious value, connected with Saint Barnabas and Monk Sophronius, and the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Black Mountain, which, according to tradition, was painted by Saint Luke the evangelist. The monastery is a site of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians
This year – according to Fides sources– Turkish officials decided to open the monastery for worship for one day, August 15, in view of a recent considerable increase in 'religious tourism', especially pilgrimages during the recent Year of Saint Paul when many people visited Christian holy places in Turkey.
Fides sources say it is possible to celebrate Mass at Sumela Monastery, in the Monastery garden for a small group and at a time and date set by the authorities. This is granted by "special concession”: “Such obvious obstacles to religious freedom give an idea of the daily difficulties experienced by Christians in Turkey”, Fides source concludes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/6/2010)